I Am Pocahontas

You Are Pocahantas

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

The Great Dave Ramsey

I love this guy. Everything he teaches and talks about is purely common sense. This month's newsletter has him talking about how to pay for the gasoline that is so expensive.

Dave's Thoughts on Gas Prices (click here if you want to read his stuff online)

Gasoline has gone up 26% since this time last year. SHOCKER! Since most of us are used to daily commutes, running the kids here and there for their various activities, and visiting friends and family, this price increase is affecting us. The Consumer Price Index figures say this is the number one thing that's gone up in our household budgets this year — and it's only May!

"But there's nothing I can do," some say. I say, "Oh, yes there is!"

It's time to revisit the budget.

When I tell people this, some tell me they've crunched their budgets as much as they can. Then I ask, "How much is your car payment? ... How much is your monthly cable or satellite bill? ... Is the Starbucks drive-thru a regular stop on your morning commute?"

I hate to break it to you, but new cars, cable, and Starbucks are luxuries, NOT necessities! You can easily survive with a used (and paid-for!) car, no cable reality shows, and coffee made at home. Just think of all that money you could use to pay off debt and put toward your gasoline money for the month if you did just those 3 things!

Earlier this month, an algebra teacher in Michigan sent me a great email that I read on the radio show. She wrote:

Dave, I often give my math students this calculation to figure out. A typical latte costs $3.59 for 16 oz. That's 22 cents per ounce or $28.72 a gallon! Ask your listeners if they've drank a gallon of latte lately!

HOLY COW! If that doesn't put things into perspective, I don't know what will!

First Things First: You must remember there IS a difference between needs and wants in life. The first things at the top of your budget should be your needs: shelter, food, transportation, clothing, and utilities. If you currently go to the movie theatre every weekend or have a Hawaiian vacation at the top of your list when you struggle to pay the electric bill, your priorities are out of wack. Don't sacrifice your needs to finance your wants. If you do, it will catch up with you and you'll regret it.

Plan Ahead: You can also strategically plan ahead when running errands and commuting to work. If you go to the grocery store twice a week, reorganize your list so you only have to go once a week. If you have a lot of errands to run, plan your route ahead of time so you're not retracing your steps around town. You could also organize a carpool with some of your coworkers who live near you.

June will be here before you know it, so go have a Budget Committee Meeting right now to see where you can free up some more money — because every little bit adds up when gas is $4 a gallon!

I remember complaining when it cost me $16 to fill my little Honda Civic. I filled my Ford Focus up this morning for $43 and some change. ZOIKS.

Anyway, the purpose of this post is just to pass along Dave's common sense. He mentions eliminating vacations if money is too tight. I have a mini-vacation coming up in July. No, it's not necessary, but the opportunity is there and because I know about it ahead of time, I can save a little bit more on the day-to-day spending to enable me to do this trip, including eliminating unnecessary expenditures, which includes needing to drive everywhere. Gas is a killer!

I am as excited about the financial planning of the trip as I am actually taking it. It will probably be the first trip I take that will be paid with cash rather than credit. THAT'S what I'm excited about.

I've never been smart about money. I still struggle with it to this day, but I'm working on it and trying to be smart about it and I'm doing an okay job. Still not great, but oh so much better than when I started this blog back in October.

Meet my niece.

You have to meet my niece Sydney (click below):

Comments from Sydney Kerby

Read her comments over and over and read them out loud to yourself. They get funnier and funnier the more you read them.

I'm still crying over it.

A HORRIBLE way to save money...

...is to get really, REALLY sick.

I've been puking and pooping (sorry) since Wednesday night. It is now Saturday night and this is the first time I've even ventured out of my bedroom.

You save money because you aren't going anywhere so therefore you save on gas money, not to mention wear and tear on your car.

You save money because you aren't eating or drinking a single, solitary thing, so no grocery money is spent.

You save money because you can't drag yourself out of bed long enough to take a shower. You're saving on water, heat, toiletries, energy in general.

You save money because when you're not puking and/or pooping, you are sleeping, so there are no energy costs going on there with the TV on or the lights on.

You save money because when you're puking and/or pooping, you don't want to go anywhere, do anything, see anyone, and you save on entertainment costs.

I'm WAY tired of saving money this way. I hope never, Ever, EVER again to be so gosh dern frugal. BLECH.

There's going to be a prom...

...on Saturday night, it's May 14th!

This was the beginning of a song that Mistie Davis, Stacy Malone, Staci Blythe, and myself sang to our dates (Brian, Andy, Dennis [I think], and Nick) in front of our class, telling these guys that our answer was yes we would love to go with them to our senior prom.

Exactly 20 years ago today. May 14, 1988.

Gulp.

I really AM that old.

Happy Birthday...

...to my just-younger sister Andrea. Thank you for allowing me be a part of your family. I love you sis!

Looking Back...

For some reason, my roommate Jennifer and I were talking about our youth and I told her about my first bike - my first banana seat, basket-on-the-front bike.

My sister Andrea and I got our "new" bikes for Christmas one year. The interesting thing was they weren't new. They were used (I don't remember if they belonged to our older sisters or if they were purchased elsewhere - Mom and Dad, would you like to comment on that?) and in pretty bad shape. I believe when we realized what they were that Christmas morning, some disappointment was felt - at least by me.

But the thing that sold us on them was the fact that we got to go to the store with Dad, pick out whatever color of paint we wanted the bike painted, chose a new seat, and chose a basket for the front.

I don't remember what Andi chose, but I chose the color copper. (Weird color, I know, and as I see the pink bike above, why couldn't I have chosen a cool color like that instead?) Anyway...

These bikes never felt used. They were our very own from the very beginning because we got to be part of the process of making them new again. I loved that bike.

I'm sharing this trip down amnesia lane because my parents weren't wealthy. But as kids we never really felt poor. My folks new how to scrimp and save and make do and we always felt comfortable growing up.

I'm not exactly sure where I got my horrible, HORRIBLE spending habits. It was definitely NOT an inherited thing or learn-by-example thing. I went completely against the grain on this front and am paying dearly for it now.

Silly me.

Do you have memories to share on making do with what you have/had? Please comment. I'd love to hear your stories. Seriously.

American Idol

I just had to share what my niece thought of the vote for last night's American Idol. You have to know her to really appreciate this, but just know she's got a very low, scratchy voice, and she's a very no nonsense, tells it like it is, wonderful girl.

Click HERE to learn about her thoughts from last night's contest.

I LOVE that Kalli girl...

Count Your Many Blessings...

...Name them one by one: Stephen, Rachel, Jake, Hannah, Chip, Simon, Lauren, and Calvin Hixon. You are my blessings.

After reading my post yesterday, the entire Hixon family came over last night for Family Home Evening. After a lesson from my roommate, they swept our porch and driveway, and then Stephen proceeded to teach his boys how to fix brakes. They took my car away, and a couple of hours later, I got my car back with new brakes. And the car was sparkling clean as well - they washed it! Couldn't tell ya the last time my car got a shower. Heaven.

This act of service kept me up all night long. I am very humbled and grateful for people like the Hixons who see a need and act upon it. I am very weepy today (service + no sleep + painful dentist appointment makes Tara an emotional girl) and am still marveling at last night's events.

To the Hixon family, THANK YOU. I don't deserve your generosity but am so grateful for what you did for me. I love you guys!

Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back

I went to the dentist last week.

Sigh.

I now have $2,500 worth of dental work I need to get done in order for my teeth to not fall out. Starting tomorrow. Urg...

Luckily they have a 12-month 0% financing program, so I will be able to pay this off in 12 months, but it's going to take away from my debt snowball and as a result that will take that much longer to pay it off. Joy and rapture.

And now my brakes on my car are making awful noises.

I'd be sobbing like a baby if I wasn't laughing manically!

Let's hope Tara doesn't go completely bye bye...

Happy Administrative Professionals Day

It used to be called Secretaries Day, but apparently that term went out of style several years ago and the PC term is now Administrative Assistant.

I am one of these. Actually I'm an Executive Assistant, but it's close to the same thing.

I always thought this was a day that was made up by the card and floral companies. I still personally don't find it necessary, most especially because I work at a place that constantly praises and recognizes everyone on a regular basis, not just because the hallmark companies out there say to. But it was awfully nice to come in and have a bouquet of flowers not only from my boss (daisies - amazing colored ones) but also from a fellow assistant (yellow tulips - wunnerful!). We've been getting high fives and well dones all day long from random people. Kinda makes me blush.

A great history of why this day exists is mentioned HERE. You may or may not be interested in it, but apparently the card companies did NOT create this day, though I find it hilarious to see the floral links at the bottom of the aforementioned article. They gotta get their digs in there somewhere.

Anyway, I guess what I'm saying to all of you wonderful Administrative/Executive Assistants out there, HAPPY DAY TO YOU! And to all of you wonderful bosses out there, thanks for making this day/week special!

How do you like my background?

Does it hurt your eyes yet?

My darling niece is rather brilliant at creating these blog backgrounds. I love to change things up a bit every once in a while, and she has a blast doing them. Not to mention she does a dang good job at them.

I've put a link to her background-making blog to the right (you too can get fun backgrounds from her), but you can also check it out HERE.

This particular background probably won't last long 'cause I don't want to hurt people's eyes too much. But I sure like looking at it...

It's been a heck of a couple of weeks!

Sorry I've been AWOL for a while. It's been a crazy couple of weeks and I'm only now starting to feel like my life is getting semi-back to normal.

On the same day that my grandmother passed away (March 19), my oldest nephew married the love of his life:



(James and Tabitha Julian)

Tabitha had a daughter from a previous marriage, so I became an instant great-aunt, my sister became a grandmother, and my parents are great-grandparents. So cool. Anyway, how adorable is she?

(James and Olivia)

My grandmother's funeral was last week. It was lovely. All of my sisters attended:

Left to Right: Cassie [youngest], Stacey [next to oldest], Tara (me) [middle child - explains a lot, huh?], Andrea [next to youngest], and Leslie [oldest]

This was probably one of the best days I've had in a really long time. I am happiest when I am around my family, and to have my parents and all of my sisters close by was just simply wonderful.

Two days later, I flew to Colorado to attend the temple with my nephew who was receiving his own endowments in preparation for his mission (he's going to Trinidad Tobago West Indies French speaking) and to hear him give his farewell talk. Another weekend full of family and friends and it was lovely.

Left to right: Me, Jake the missionary, and Cassie in front of the Denver, CO temple.

When I flew home on Sunday night, my mom came with me to stay with Andrea's kids while Andi goes through some surgery. So my mom is around and has decided there is a reason why women are mothers in their early years. Here's why:

This is a picture of my 2-year old niece's leg and foot after she found a container of red nail polish this weekend. When my mom saw this picture, right before she was to get on the airplane to watch these kids, she got a little nervous to watch this particular 2-year old, a 2-year old that is REALLY good at being 2.

I can report that so far, Grandma and kids are alive and well and are enjoying each other immensely. Mom told me last night that if I was able to stop by each night this week, she wouldn't be unhappy about it. That's nothing but a treat for me.

Anyway, life is crazy and good and busy and all that good stuff.

The debt is still there. It's ALWAYS still there. But it's not being ignored. Sometimes I would really like to pretend it went away and use that money for fun things, but I quickly realize if I were to do that, it would take that much longer to get out of debt, and that much longer to NOT get a house that my family can come and stay in when they're in town.

Sure wish I had that house last week.

Someday...

A Tribute: Ruby Ann LaRue

This is probably one of the worst pictures of me (though darling of my sister Cassie and my Grandma LaRue):


I'm posting it because my sweet, 96-year old grandma LaRue passed away tonight. This picture was taken just two weeks ago, but a week later, she fell, hit her head and broke her hip and it is what finally "helped" her pass on to the other side. Up until then, she was healthier than anyone I knew. Anyone.

I'm happy she's finally getting to be reunited with my Grandpa, who took a walk 20 years ago and hasn't been seen from since. She'll finally get to learn what happened to him. The rest of us will have to wait until it's our turn.

We are having a double funeral/memorial for Grandma and Grandpa LaRue. I can't wait to be able to celebrate their lives and relive memories of them with the rest of my family.

In the mean time, I'm sad that I won't get to see her again on this earth, but oh so happy she's no longer in pain and has moved on to her eternal life and companion.

Love you Grandma.

Just a quick note:

I was so lucky and got to sing with my 8-year old niece yesterday in her ward. We sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and were actually able to harmonize a bit with each other.

I want to thank Kymber for asking me to do this. It was an honor and privilege to get to be the first one to be a part of Kymber's first official musical number.

I hope there are many, MANY more to come. You have a beautiful singing voice m'dear...

I've Been Tagged...

I have managed to escape being tagged... UNTIL NOW. My "darling" niece tagged me on her blog. I don't like to do these, but because it's her, I'll do it this one time. Here's to you Bryndee Boo...

THE ABC'S OF ME

A - Attached or single: single (sigh)
B - Best friend: Andrea
C - Cake or pie: White cake with the gooiest chocolate buttercream frosting.
D - Day of choice: Friday (you get the anticipation of Saturday).
E - Essential item: Blistex.
F - Favorite color: Green!
G - Gummy bears or worms: Neither one - GWOSS!
H - Hometown: Gilbert, AZ.
I - Indulgence(s): Chocolate croissants (zoiks!), Pepsi (Mmm).
J - January or July: In town, JANUARY - out of town (like San Diego), JULY!
K - Kids: 19 nieces and nephews.
L - Life is incomplete without: My Family.
M - Marriage date: Now, that's the fruit you're talking about, right? Marriage, what is this marriage you speak of?
N - Number of siblings: 4.
O - Oranges or apples: Oranges.
P - Phobias or fears: Any of my family members being hurt.
Q - Quotes: "Can I sit by you?" as quoted by Bryndee, Porter, Torie, Kymber, and Abby every Sunday when I come over for dinner.
R - Reason to smile: "You're awesome!" from my boss (as I already know this [grin]).
S - Season of choice: Arizona winters - absolutely.
T - Tag three friends: Tricia, Rachel, Alisa.
U - Unknown fact about me: I can seriously stick my entire fist in my mouth.
V - Very favorite store: Any shoe store probably.
W - Worst habit: I like my junk food - salty and sweet.
X - X-ray or ultrasound: Huh?
Y - Your favorite food. Peanut Butter anything.
Z - Zodiac sign: Scorpio.

Cheap Entertainment

On Monday night, I went with my friend Jenny to the LDS Visitor's Center in Mesa. They had an AMAZING showcase of pictures that a local photographer took depicting scenes of Christ's life from the Bible. He used his friends and family in the pictures, and he went all over Arizona to take these pictures.

Right now they're only being shown at the Arizona Temple, but I hope they make the rounds eventually as they are some of the lovliest pieces of art I've seen in a long time.

If you get a chance, you should go see these pictures. They're beautiful. Go here to learn more about them. You really will be amazed and inspired.

And it didn't cost me a dime.

Happy 32nd Birthday...

...to my baby sister Cassie. Love you sis!

I am not suffering...

A lot of people (especially at work) ask me how I feel sacrificing the "niceties" in life by doing this getting-out-of-debt program. I answer them all the same. It's not a sacrifice, and there are people in my life who supply me these niceties on a regular basis, whether it's taking me out to lunch, giving me gift cards, putting movie tickets in my purse (I still don't know who did this), etc. I'm so blessed.

I was going through my purse the other day looking at all the gift cards, etc. that I can still use and I have quite a bit. Take a look:

Funnily enough, this came from the bank that supplied me my horrible Line of Credit - it was a "bonus" for using them (quite a bonus at 18.99%). I still don't know how to use it since supposedly it was supposed to come with some kind of code to activate - I got the card but never the code.

Here is a single movie ticket that landed in my purse towards the end of last year (I think). I can't tell you who it came from or when it showed up in my purse or even why I was fortunate enough to receive it. I also got a gift card to the movies (for Christmas), as well as a gift card to Chick Fil-A (from my 12-days-of-Christmas Secret Friend). I'm not a huge fan of fast food, but Chick Fil-A is one of two that I do enjoy. A lot. I LOVE this card.

This is another set of movie tickets that also landed in my purse. Hmm, methinks maybe I leave my purse unattended too often (smile). Anyway, what a pleasant surprise to find these. I'm just waiting on a good enough movie to use them for.

My lovely friend Lori gave me this Barnes & Noble gift card for my birthday last year. I got it shortly after I sold all of my books at my garage sale and was feeling a little blue about it. It was so fun to get this and so far, save it for that special book that I absolutely HAVE to have, no matter the cost. (Still waiting...)



I received these two gift cards from a friend of mine last year (one just because and one for Christmas). Both go to Carrabba's, which is one of my all time favorite restaurants. Because it's so much food, I don't eat here very often (though the one right by my house calls my name on a regular basis - I don't answer it near enough), which is why I still have some left on these cards. But what a great night out when it's Carrabba's free food.

Last but not least, when I do go out to lunch or go get lunch for my bosses, I have a punch card. These tend to get filled up fast because of how many orders I do. Because of this, I get free lunches on a fairly regular basis at these two restaurants. How delightful is that?



Yeah - there isn't a whole lot of suffering going on here. I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing and not only benefitting from getting out of debt, but am being spoiled rotten by those who love me.

I love my life!

Happy Birthday Bryndee!

My beautiful Bryndee (yet another niece) turned 14 this past weekend. She's lovely. Absolutely lovely. Inside and out - her parents got a gem of a teenager in this one.

Happy birthday Bryndee Boo. I sure do love you!